One Sacramento council incumbent is unopposed as election filing deadline passes
The city of Sacramento’s deadline ended Friday for candidates to file for a seat on the City Council. Of eight council districts, four are on the ballot — and three of those are contested. Here’s who is running in the June 2 primary.
Talamantes unopposed
Karina Talamantes, 37, is running unopposed for the June 2 in District 3. First elected in 2022, she represents constituents in parts of north and south Natomas, Northgate and Gardenland.
“I feel like running unopposed is people acknowledging all the hard work that I do for the community,” she said.
In her first term, Talamantes secured $1.9 million for transportation safety measures on Northgate Boulevard between Interstate 80 and Del Paso Boulevard. She said she also improved parks, and saw new homes and a Costco go up in her district.
“I have a lot of just small wins, but those small wins go a long way in the community, and then they go a long way in my heart because it’s progress,” she said.
Talamantes said she hopes to work more on homelessness, affordability and other quality-of-life issues in her second term. And she’s looking forward to the completion of Taco Plaza on Northgate Boulevard, which is envisioned as a community hub for food trucks, music festivals and cultural events.
She also hopes to improve communication between the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the City Council to address permanent housing.
The supervisors and the City Council together oversee the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, which manages public and affordable housing for Sacramento’s low-income residents. Talamantes said she hopes the two elected bodies can meet together with new SHRA director Kris Warren and discuss priorities.
Other races
Council members Lisa Kaplan, Caity Maple and Rick Jennings are also in districts on the ballot in 2026, and all will face multiple challengers.
Kaplan, in what could be the most closely watched race, is facing off against two candidates in District 1, which includes parts of North Natomas and parts of Robla. Jennifer “Jenn” Chawla is a federal investigative specialist and Venkat Mechineni, an information technology specialist, both are seeking her seat.
Caity Maple, whose district includes Oak Park, Golf Course Terrance and Parkway, is running against retired sheriff’s deputy Henry Harry and analyst Santiago Mario Morales Jr. in District 5.
Rick Jennings, first elected in 2014 to the council, is squaring off against urban planner Scott Lau and Deputy City Attorney Mark R. Valesquez in District 7, which includes Land Park, Greenhaven and the Pocket.
This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 7:34 PM.
